Decorations surround you, party invites hang on the fridge. Everyone’s festive at the holidays… except you. Learn what’s bringing you down – and how to keep spirits up. Plus, could you be depressed? Take our quiz to find out…

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Or is it? If you’re singing the blues this December, you’re not alone. Two-thirds of women say they’re depressed during the holidays, according to a survey by the National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC).

“This time of year is stressful at the least, and for many, downright depressing,” says Harold Levinson, M.D., a New York-based psychiatrist and neurologist.

How do you beat the holiday blues? Recognize the triggers and boost your mood with these 5 tried-and-true tips:

Mood Buster #1: Alcohol

Problem:Your schedule’s jam-packed with holiday gatherings where wine, champagne and eggnog will be flowing like water. A cocktail or two may fill you with holiday cheer, but they’ll also have you belting out post-party pity tunes. Why?

“Alcohol is actually a central nervous system depressant,” says Catherine Birndorf, M.D., founding director of the Payne Whitney Women’s Program at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

And you’ll pay the next day with a hangover. “You’re not as functional as usual, which can make you feel even worse,” Birndorf says.

Feel-Good Fix:Pace yourself, experts say. If you have three holiday parties in one week, decide how many drinks you’ll have at each and alternate between cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages. Also, fill your tummy with food to cut alcohol’s impact.

You might be tempted to toss back a few before a stressful dinner with the in-laws. But try to resist; you’ll be happy you did. Alcohol loosens the tongue, and it’s just not smart to tell your mother-in-law what you really think of her sweet potato pie.

Running around is exhausting, and “can cause depression,” Levinson says.

So why do we say “yes” in the first place?

“As humans, we’re inherently social,” Birndorf says. “The problem is that party or bake sale is part of a week that includes 20 other things.”

Feel-Good Fix: Prioritize.“Look at the bigger picture,” she says. Which activities do you really want to do and will they realistically fit into your schedule?

Those four holiday parties sound great, but if attending them all means four nights without seeing your kids, it’s a sure-fire downer. Are you making these holiday parenting mistakes?

Too often we commit to events that are weeks away. Suddenly the week is here, and you’re stretched too thin. What to do?

Before accepting an invitation, think about how you’d feel if that party was today or tomorrow. Is it important enough to squeeze into your schedule?

Mood Buster #3: Missing a Loved One

Problem:Celebrating the holidays when you’re grieving – especially the first year or two – can trigger depression and loneliness. The same holds true if your children are with the ex – or a close friend or family member has moved away.

You can’t avoid the pain, says psychotherapist Richard O'Connor, Ph.D., Lifescript’s depression expert and author of Happy at Last (St. Martin’s Press). “What makes the difference is what you do with those feelings.”

Feel-Good Fix:Be honest with yourself. “If you try to deny the pain, stuff it away and put on a happy face, it’ll get to you, often as depression,” O’Connor says.

Instead, acknowledge that you’re missing someone and share your feelings with a trusted friend or family member.

Little reminders of them may help. Find a way to connect to your absent loved one, Birndorf says. Wear a piece of your grandmother’s jewelry or make your son’s favorite recipe. Get expert tips for healthy grieving.

Mood Buster #4: Too Great Expectations

Problem:You’ve managed to move that holiday mountain of work. Now you’re making a family dinner that would put Martha Stewart to shame. See tips from the entertaining maven.

Why are you trying so hard?

“We get these very stylized, idyllic images in our head that we think we should replicate,” Birndorf says. “When your expectations are too high, you have farther to fall.”

Feel-Good Fix:Downsizeyour starry expectations. “It’s impossible to do everything and do it all perfectly,” O’Connor says.

There’s no way you’ll escape disappointment, and it “takes you away from connecting with the people in your life.”

So don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead, focus on what’s important and delegate tasks – or drop them altogether.

When it comes to gifts, change your idea of giving… and receiving. That Rolex won’t buy happiness. The holiday’s all about “feeling connected” and being genuine, O’Connor says.

Mood Buster #5: Family Conflict

Problem:Any gathering is a recipe for a steaming conflict stew. Mix in old arguments, and your Norman Rockwell holiday just won’t happen.

“We have this idea – or perhaps a longing – for these gatherings to go without a hitch,” Birndorf says. “When they’re not that great, we’re really let down.”

Feel-Good Fix:You know there’ll be problems, so think about previous gatherings and plan. “Be proactive and think of ways to avoid them,” she says.

For example, if Aunt Edith wasn’t speaking to Cousin Mary last year, seat them at opposite ends of the table this year. Better yet, celebrate with each separately, if possible.

Could You Be Depressed?Like Picasso, everyone goes through a "blue period" from time to time. About 20 million people a year suffer from depression, a disorder that compromises one's ability to function normally day to day. Find out if you're just blue or clinically depressed.